From our Gulf shores to Atlantic coastlines, Florida’s 825 miles of local beaches mean that one of our towns or cities has a stretch of sand that’s perfect for everyone. Each year, millions flock to their favorite beach to enjoy a holiday or just catch some sun and surf—and it falls to local police departments to keep them safe.
In addition to proactively patrolling the beaches to keep the public safe, officers joined the crowds—and challenged beachgoers to friendly push-up and trivia contests.
The goal: recruit them, not arrest them.- Henry Lockwood III, a detective with the Fort Lauderdale Police Department, said, “We want to make sure we increase community engagement. The more we engage with them, the less problems we know we have.”
The Town of Lady Lake takes a more caffeinated approach to public safety with “Coffee with a Cop”. Police Chief Steve Hunt and local officers routinely meet with the public to discuss everything from local public safety concerns to neighborhood nuisance issues.
Chief Hunt said, “It’s an opportunity for people to meet our officers and tell them what’s on their minds, meet our officers, have a cup of coffee, and share more about the things we do. It’s about building relationships and taking down barriers one person at a time.”
These innovative programs highlight the innovative ways Florida’s cities and police departments work together to engage with local voices and keep our communities safe.
